Two of the biggest concerts – Prince and Madonna at the Garden – are sold out, but this promises to be a hot summer for music fans of all persuasions. Here are the 10 best concerts you can still catch – and watch these pages as more come on line.
1 The Strokes, the quintessential new New York rock band, kick off 2004 Central Park SummerStage, with a benefit performance on May 19.
This show is sold out, but wait! Like all SummerStage gigs, you can pull up a blanket behind the bleachers at Rumsey Playfield and tune in. That’s very rock ‘n’ roll.
The entire free line-up for SummerStage will be posted on http://www.summerstage.org, also on May 19.
2 Devo headlines a SummerStage benefit on July 23. With followers the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and stellastarr* opening, it’s a show not to miss.
Maybe its de-evolution after all. It’s been 32 years since Akron’s Devo formed and several years since they last performed. The band could be classified as a one-hit wonder – “Whip It” was a smash, but their influence on New Wave and rock goes deeper than that.
Tickets through Ticketmaster at http://www.Ticketmaster.com, or (212) 307-7171.
3 It’s not too late to see David Bowie. His live show is amazing. He’s thrilled to sing his old gems and the tunes on his latest, “Reality,” easily measure up to his standards. He’s an aging hipster who’s still very hip.
The thin white duke performs with the Polyphonic Spree at Tommy Hilfiger at Jones Beach (Wantagh, L.I., [516] 221-1000) on June 4 and at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, N.J., on June 5. Tickets through Ticketmaster.
4 Britney Spears. What can we say? We love to rip apart her clothes, her relationships, her marriage, her videos, her album, her dance moves. Does she lip sync? Does it really matter?
The pop tart scored a hit with the single “Toxic,” and is now on the road with her “Onyx Hotel Tour,” for her “In the Zone” album.
She appears at Tommy Hilfiger at Jones Beach on July 8 and 9 and at the PNC Bank Arts Center July 13. Ticketmaster.
5 Surf’s up at the Village Voice 4th Annual Siren Music Festival at Coney Island on Saturday, July 17.
Pack some earplugs for 10 hours of fun in the sun with some of this year’s hottest indie rockers. The tentative line-up is Death Cab for Cutie, Blonde Redhead, Har Mar Superstar, TV on the Radio, Constantines, the Fiery Furnaces, the Fever, the Ponys, Your Enemies Friends.
It’s FREE.
6 Aretha Franklin doesn’t perform too often and that’s why tickets for her appearance at B.B. King Blue’s Club on June 25 run from $125 to $425.
But she is the Queen of Soul and deserves R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
7 L.A.’s Rooney hit its pop culture apex when the five-piece rock group appeared on an episode of “The O.C.”
Now the band will open the 4th Annual Hudson River Rocks Series on June 6. These are those lovely sundowner shows on Pier 54, 14th Street and the Hudson River, (212) 533-PARK.
Appearing with Rooney are L.A.’s Ozma and Straylight Run.
8 Avril Lavigne’s got it going on. She’s part of the Z-100 Zootopia bash with Jessica “of all trades” Simpson, Maroon 5, Black Eyed Peas, Liz Phair, William Hung (save us, please) and J-Kwon on June 21 at Madison Square Garden.
Our fave angry “Sk8r Boi” chick is readying “Under My Skin” (due May 25).
She headlines the WBLI Summer Jam 2004 on June 30 at Tommy Hilfinger at Jones Beach alongside JC Chasez, Kimberly Locke, and Hanson.
All tickets through Ticketmaster.
9 Franz Ferdinand is an indie rock quartet from Scotland named after the Archduke whose assassination sparked WWI. The group recently released its self-titled debut disc, which is packed with catchy tunes.
On June 17, they’re at Webster Hall (125 E. 11th St.; [212] 353.1600) with the glam-tipped Veils. Tickets through Ticketmaster.
10 The “Great High Mountain Tour 2004” includes music from “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” and “Cold Mountain.”
It’s a blue grass lover’s heaven with Alison Krauss and Union Station with Ollabelle, Jerry Douglas, the Whites, the Cox Family, Nashville Bluegrass Band and others.
It’s at the Beacon Theatre (2124 Broadway; [212] 496-7070) on May 27.